Just Watched

Fit Nation team starts fitness journey

I was always someone a friend could call at a moment's notice to go out. When I finally decided to get healthy, I couldn't continue to do that. I made a conscious decision to change where I hung out, who I hung out with and what we did when we were hanging out.

The majority of my friends are health-conscious, so I didn't think any of my relationships would change much. I was wrong.

Going out to eat is a rare occasion these days, and I can't remember the last time I had a drink. All of my free time is spent at the gym or doing something active. To maintain my active lifestyle I make sure I get a minimum of seven hours of sleep every night. Most of my friends are going out when I'm going to bed.

I knew my best friends and I hadn't seen each other in a while, but in all the years we've known each other, we had never missed the "big stuff." That morning, after my first race, I checked my phone. There were messages from both of them telling me how proud they were, but that New Year's Eve had gotten the best of them.

Later, I explained how hurt I was that they weren't there. I found out they were hurt, too. They felt like they didn't "fit into" my life anymore. We had always spent time together seeing the latest movie, checking out a new restaurant or going to a concert. Vanderbilt basketball games were our favorite, but most of those games were at 8 p.m. Thursdays and I was in bed.

It was hard to hear. But we talked it out and -- because we're women -- we had a really good cry.

Any time there is a new challenge in your life, be prepared for your relationships to change. Your friendships will change; your family life will change. And don't be surprised when the most significant change is your relationship with yourself.

I thought the absence of certain people in my life was temporary. It's not. The changes I've made and continue to make are permanent lifestyle investments in me and my ultimate goal of living the rest of my life as a healthy, happy, active adult.

I've made new friends since the beginning of my journey. I'm a social person so I'm always going to have a group around. Some of that group has changed because I needed it to, but those who matter have weathered the changes with me and will always have my back no matter where life takes us.